Ohio State Football Staff Member Placed on Leave Amid Investigation
In a surprising turn of events, a member of the Ohio State football support staff has been placed on administrative leave. This development, which came to light through a letter from the university’s human resources department, was obtained by ESPN on Wednesday. The individual in question is Joe Lyberger, a quality control coach who worked closely with the linebackers.
Lyberger received the letter on December 27, which informed him that he would be placed on paid leave effective immediately. The letter also stated that he would not be allowed at the Buckeyes’ facilities during this period. This move has raised eyebrows, especially considering the timing, as it comes less than two weeks after Ohio State’s impressive 34-23 victory over Notre Dame on January 20, which secured them the College Football Playoff national championship.
According to the letter, Lyberger was instructed to return all university property and keys without delay. Additionally, he was advised not to delete any “emails, documents, and/or materials produced during your tenure as an employee.” This directive suggests that the investigation is being taken very seriously by the university.
The Columbus Dispatch was the first to report this story, which has since garnered significant attention. The news also coincides with Penn State’s recent hiring of former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for the same position, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation.
Interestingly, the letter did not specify the allegations against Lyberger. The investigation is being conducted by the school’s Office of Institutional Equity. According to its website, this office is responsible for helping the campus community “prevent and respond to all forms of protected class harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct.”
When approached for a comment, a school spokesperson declined, citing that it is a personnel matter. Meanwhile, Lyberger’s attorney, Sam Shamansky, based in Columbus, Ohio, expressed his frustration with the lack of clarity regarding the accusations against his client.
“I’m not really sure. [The letter] is a bunch of vagaries,” Shamansky told ESPN. “Can you imagine being in a criminal justice system and not knowing exactly what you’re accused of doing? If you’ve got evidence, show it. If you have videotapes, let’s see them. Why are we waiting around? My client has been asking for this information for a month.”
Shamansky further expressed his concerns about the duration of the investigation, stating that he doesn’t know how long it will run other than “too long.” He added, “While my client twists in the wind, the university machine moves at its own pace.”
Joe Lyberger is in his fourth season with the Buckeyes, having joined Ohio State after spending two seasons as a defensive assistant at Bucknell. Before that, he was a graduate assistant at Ohio Dominican University. Lyberger is a graduate of Slippery Rock, where he also played football, earning his degree in 2016.
- Ohio State’s recent victory over Notre Dame: 34-23
- Joe Lyberger’s tenure with Ohio State: 4 seasons
- Previous positions: Defensive assistant at Bucknell, Graduate assistant at Ohio Dominican University
- Alma mater: Slippery Rock, Class of 2016
The unfolding situation has left many in the college football community speculating about the potential implications for Ohio State’s program. As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on the university to see how they handle this sensitive matter. For now, the Buckeyes will have to navigate this challenging period without one of their key support staff members.
Originally Written by: Heather Dinich
